Adriaanse holds out for an Ajax comeback

Celtic moved to within touching distance of the group stages for the first time with an impressive 3-1 victory in Amsterdam. But a fortnight on, after Martin O'Neill's men were held at Livingston on Saturday, they will be without injured winger Bobby Petta and are awaiting word on the fitness of Joos Valgaeren and Johan Mjallby.

Celtic will still be confident of finishing the job with Ajax needing at least three goals, but Adriaanse warned not to count his side out yet.

Adriaanse said: "One-three can be bridged, but if the difference between the sides is as great as in the first match, it will be very difficult.

"We know that we are 3-1 behind and we must win. If we play out-and-out attacking football we might leave too much room at the back.

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"If we put the emphasis on defence, we risk creating too few chances. So I have to work out how to do it," he said.

"Celtic are capable of a lot. But we were worse than I had expected. I see chances to beat Celtic and I'm certainly not giving up hope."

However, Adriaanse conceded that his side would have to settle for a place in the UEFA Cup if goalkeeper Fred Grim has a repeat of his first-leg nightmare.

The Dutchman believes Celtic caught his side cold at the Amsterdam ArenA as they were yet to begin their domestic campaign.

His side have since kicked off the Dutch league season with a 1-1 home draw with Roda JC on Sunday and Adriaanse believes his players will be stronger and better this time around.

Adriaanse also denies that his job is on the line if his side fail to make it to the Champions League group stages.

The pressure is growing, but when asked if he thinks he will be sacked, he insisted: "No, I don't think so. In that case I would be punished for the fact that we're third in the table.

"It would seem very short-sighted to me if I was judged on what happens this week. That only happens at clubs who don't have a clear policy."

Ajax will have about 1,000 supporters behind them at a capacity Parkhead tonight. But the Dutch side's hopes of over-turning Celtic's advantage have been hit by injuries.

Tim de Cler, Petri Pasanen, Daniel Cruz, Tomas Galasek, John O'Brien, Mitchell Pique, Pius Ikedia, Andy van der Meyde and Bogdan Lobont stayed behind in Amsterdam as their team-mates flew into Glasgow last night. Mido travelled, but is doubtful, and South African Steven Pienaar has been added to the squad.

Celtic manager O'Neill will not throw Bobo Balde in at the deep end against Ajax even though his defence could be severely weakened.

The Parkhead chief is sweating on the fitness of key defensive duo Mjallby and Valgaeren and will give them as much time as possible to recover from ankle and knee injuries respectively.

O'Neill could have handed summer signing Balde a baptism of fire - but he insisted there would be no chance of that.

O'Neill looks ready to employ a back three of Tom Boyd, Olivier Tebily and Chris Sutton tonight if the Swede and Belgian are ruled out.